Lead Automation Engineer

Novonesis; Raigad; On-site; INR 3,000,000 - 5,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Novonesis is seeking a Lead Automation Engineer to lead the complete automation scope for a Greenfield manufacturing facility, from Basic Design through Detailed Engineering, procurement support, installation, FAT, SAT, commissioning and handover.

You will be the single-point owner for automation packages, drive risk and SCO management, and ensure safety, quality, schedule, and cost adherence across the project lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in instrumentation, electrical, electronics, or automation engineering.
• 10–15 years in industrial automation project execution.
• Greenfield projects from design to commissioning.
• Strong PLC/DCS/SCADA experience (ABB 800xA, Emerson or equivalent).
• Batch automation experience with ISA-88/95 and batch management.
• Process engineering knowledge for liquids; pumps and CIP/SIP.
• Knowledge of ABB800xA, ABB Batch manager, PCDL/PCEL libraries.
• Experience in FAT, SAT, IQ/OQ and vendor coordination.
• Familiar with EPCM project execution models.

Responsibilities

• Lead Basic to Detailed Automation engineering with OEMs and integrators.
• Ensure quality of P&IDs, control narratives, I/O lists and logic diagrams.
• Head automation deliverables and drive design reviews.
• Own automation packages (DCS/PLC/SCADA/BActch) and manage SCOs.
• Plan FAT/SAT, site installation support, and commissioning activities.
• Coordinate software development, batch config, licenses, and spares.
• Maintain risk registers and escalate interface risks.
• Prepare weekly/monthly status reports and dashboards.
• Ensure safety, QA/QC, and regulatory compliance across phases.

Skills

PLC/SCADA

DCS/Batch systems

ISA-88/95

HMI design

Team leadership

Vendor coordination

FAT/SAT

P&ID reviews

Safety compliance

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Automation

Tools

ABB 800xA

ABB Batch manager

PCDL/PCEL libraries

Emerson

Batch Executive systems

Job description

Lead Automation Engineer

Lead Automation Engineer to manage and deliver the complete automation scope for a Greenfield manufacturing facility, from Basic Design through Detailed Engineering, Procurement Support, Installation, FAT, SAT, Commissioning, and Handover.

The role requires strong technical and leadership experience in industrial automation systems with clear accountability for Safety, Quality, Schedule, and Cost. The Lead Automation Engineer will act as the single-point owner for automation packages, manage delayed package recovery, and control Scope Change Orders (SCOs) related to automation.

Tasks and responsibilities

Design Management (Basic to Detailed Engineering)

Lead Basic and Detailed Automation Engineering activities with OEMs, system integrators, and internal SMEs.

Ensure completeness and quality of P&IDs, Control Narratives, I/O Lists, Instrument Index, Logic Diagrams, and HMI philosophies.

Leading an area with a team- setting direction, planning, execution & handover.

Review and approve automation deliverables for constructability, operability, maintainability, and compliance.

Drive Design Reviews and ensure outputs support timely procurement and installation.

Automation Package Execution (DCS / PLC / SCADA / Batch Systems)

Act as technical owner for automation systems including DCS, PLC, SCADA, EMS, and Batch Management systems as applicable.

Define and review Batch Automation architecture in line with ISA-88/95 standards.

Acting as subject matter experts in own discipline.

Supervising/Development of functional specification of complex units.

Lead implementation of Batch Manager / Batch Executive systems including recipe design, master recipes, control recipes, and equipment models.

Supervising/Developing DCS application coding based on programming standards and design guidelines.

Coordinate with Process owners for software development, batch configuration, documentation, licenses, and spares.

Ensure alignment of automation and batch system deliveries with project schedule and construction readiness.

Installation, FAT, SAT, and Commissioning Support

Plan, execute, and lead Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) for both continuous and batch automation systems, including recipe testing and batch execution scenarios.

Support site installation activities such as panel installation, cabling, loop checks, and system power-up.

Lead or support Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), batch logic testing, interlock verification, and commissioning activities.

Support batch process dry runs, water batches, and process simulation prior to live production.

Ensure structured automation and batch system handover including as-built documents, recipes, backups, passwords, and operator training.

Safety, Quality, and Compliance Assurance

Enforce strict adherence to EHS protocols at all phases — zero compromise on safety.

Ensure implementation of QA/QC standards, including ITPs, checklists, audits, and NCR closures.

Coordinate with Safety and Quality teams to ensure all works meet regulatory and internal standards.

Schedule Control (Non-Negotiable)

Own automation milestones within the Integrated Master Schedule.

Develop and track 2W / 4W / 6W look-ahead schedules for automation engineering, FAT, SAT, and commissioning.

Identify schedule risks early and drive recovery plans for delayed automation packages or vendo

Cost Control and Scope Change Order (SCO) Management

Monitor automation package costs against approved budgets.

Evaluate technical impact of scope changes, design modifications, and recovery actions.

Act as automation focal point for SCO documentation, justification, impact analysis, and approvals.

Risk Management & Early Forecasting

Maintain a live project risk register with active mitigation plans.

Proactively identify interface risks with Process, Electrical, Instrumentation, IT/OT, Utilities, and Validation teams.

Escalate risks that could impact commissioning readiness or plant start-up timelines.

Project Governance & Stakeholder Management

Organize and lead status meetings, design reviews, site reviews, and cross-functional syncs.

Coordinate with vendors, consultants, internal teams, and Global Team.

repair and present weekly and monthly automation status reports, dashboards, and recovery trackers.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Instrumentation, Electrical, Electronics, or Automation Engineering.
• Minimum 10–15 years of experience in industrial automation project execution.
• Proven experience in Greenfield projects from design through commissioning.
• Strong working experience with PLC/DCS/SCADA systems (ABB 800xA, Emerson or equivalent).
• Proven experience in Batch Automation and Batch Management systems (ISA-88/95), including recipe configuration, unit procedures, phases, and batch execution.
• Process engineering knowledge for liquid systems (pumps, valves, CIP/SIP)
• Knowledge of ABB800xA system, ABB Batch manager, PCDL, PCEL libraries would be an added advantage.
• Strong Design/functional specification (CM, EM &Phases class) Experience & application development for recipes would be preferable.
• Hands‑on experience in FAT, SAT, commissioning, IQ, OQ and vendor coordination.
• Familiarity with EPCM project execution models and engineerin

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